OUR VIEW: Racist language needs to be eliminated

Alabama voters should pass Amendment 4

Published: Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 6:24 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 6:25 p.m.

How, the proverb goes, does an ant eat an elephant? The answer is one bite at a time.

A one-bite-at-a-time process is under way regarding rewriting Alabama’s elephant-size constitution, and it appears an actual ant might have an easier time dealing with an actual elephant.

Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, wants Alabama voters to remove racist language from the state constitution concerning a poll tax and separate schools for whites and blacks.

The language was invalidated long ago by court rulings, but it remains on the books.

The choice would seem to be an easy one for voters — racist language in our constitution is bad, so approving Amendment 4 is the thing to do, right?

Alas, this is the Alabama Constitution we’re referencing, and the issues are rarely as simple as they seem.

Orr’s ballot measure has drawn criticism from the Alabama Education Association and some black lawmakers, who contend it removes language guaranteeing Alabama children the right to an education.

Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, calls Amendment 4 “a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” because it maintains wording added to the constitution in the 1950s that says “nothing in this Constitution shall be construed as creating or recognizing any right to education or training at public expense.” AEA echoes that argument.

In 2004, opponents of a similar measure argued that its approval could open the door for federal judges to order tax increases for schools. The proposal was narrowly defeated.

Orr says he tried to sidestep the tax issue this time and focused only on removing the racist language. He says other states have used the language in the constitution to argue that businesses shouldn’t relocate to Alabama. He fears more bad headlines if the measure goes down again.

The racist language needs to be removed from our constitution. Amendment 4 may not be the perfect solution, but it’s another bite that needs to be taken.

Guarantees can be restored more easily than the racist language’s stigma can be erased.

<p>How, the proverb goes, does an ant eat an elephant? The answer is one bite at a time.</p><p>A one-bite-at-a-time process is under way regarding rewriting Alabama's elephant-size constitution, and it appears an actual ant might have an easier time dealing with an actual elephant.</p><p>Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, wants Alabama voters to remove racist language from the state constitution concerning a poll tax and separate schools for whites and blacks. </p><p>The language was invalidated long ago by court rulings, but it remains on the books. </p><p>The choice would seem to be an easy one for voters — racist language in our constitution is bad, so approving Amendment 4 is the thing to do, right?</p><p>Alas, this is the Alabama Constitution we're referencing, and the issues are rarely as simple as they seem. </p><p>Orr's ballot measure has drawn criticism from the Alabama Education Association and some black lawmakers, who contend it removes language guaranteeing Alabama children the right to an education.</p><p>Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, calls Amendment 4 “a wolf in sheep's clothing,” because it maintains wording added to the constitution in the 1950s that says “nothing in this Constitution shall be construed as creating or recognizing any right to education or training at public expense.” AEA echoes that argument.</p><p>In 2004, opponents of a similar measure argued that its approval could open the door for federal judges to order tax increases for schools. The proposal was narrowly defeated.</p><p>Orr says he tried to sidestep the tax issue this time and focused only on removing the racist language. He says other states have used the language in the constitution to argue that businesses shouldn't relocate to Alabama. He fears more bad headlines if the measure goes down again.</p><p>The racist language needs to be removed from our constitution. Amendment 4 may not be the perfect solution, but it's another bite that needs to be taken.</p><p>Guarantees can be restored more easily than the racist language's stigma can be erased.</p>